A Hydrocarbon Detector for the Remote Sensing of Vehicle Exhaust Emissions
Publication Date
4-1995
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
College of Natural Science and Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Keywords
Atmospheric chemistry, Emissions, Pollutants
Abstract
A new remote sensor for measuring on‐road carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon exhaust emissions in under 1 s from vehicles passing the sensor is described. The new design adds the capability for measuring exhaust hydrocarbons and eliminates the need for liquid–nitrogen‐cooled detectors while improving upon the overall signal to noise. Under typical field operating conditions, sensitivity to 0.05% propane with a precision of 0.014% propane is observed. Two types of water interferences important to the measurement of exhaust hydrocarbons are reported. The water vapor present in all auto exhaust causes a small positive bias dependent on the analytical wavelength chosen. A much larger interference is caused by liquid water (often called ‘‘steam’’) plumes seen behind cold vehicles at low temperatures.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Date
4-1-1995
Rights Holder
American Institute of Physics
Provenance
Received from author
Language
English (eng)
Extent
6 pgs
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the American Institute of Physics. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Publication Title
Review of Scientific Instruments
Volume
66
Issue
4
First Page
3024
Last Page
3029
ISSN
1089-7623
Recommended Citation
Guenther, P. L., Stedman, D. H., Bishop, G. A., Bean, J. H., & Quine, R. W. (1995). A hydrocarbon detector for the remote sensing of vehicle emissions. Review of Scientific Instruments, 66(4), 3024-3029. DOI: 10.1063/1.1146498